The longstanding global security and aerospace corporation Lockheed Martin will no longer provide funding to the Boy Scouts of America as a result of the BSA's discriminatory ban on LGBT scout leaders.
Lockheed Martin recently reviewed its philanthropy and concluded that the company could no longer support the Boy Scouts of America's (BSA's) lingering anti-LGBT policies.
Gordon Johndroe, a spokesperson for Lockheed, explained, "While we applaud the mission of the Boy Scouts and the good things they do in our communities, their policies that discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation and religious affiliation conflict with Lockheed Martin policies."
In past years, Lockheed Martin has financially contributed to local branches of the BSA. As of 2014's start, said Lockheed spokesman Johnny Witaker, "all official, company-sanctioned support," including "monetary contributions and company-sponsored employee activities with the Scouts like facility tours, on-site Scouting activities and events, service on the Atlanta Council's executive board, and employee volunteer activities on company time," will be withdrawn, according to The Marietta Daily Journal, a regional news outlet.
Going forward, Johndroe stated that the company will only support organizations that match Lockheed's interests in promoting diversity.
The three parts to Lockheed's values statement are, "do what's right, respect others, and perform with excellence." Inclusivity is integral to the company's mission, which is, "to embrace the diverse talents and perspectives of our people to power innovation and business success.
Equality in Scouting enjoyed a major milestone in the summer of 2013 when the BSA announced it would begin welcoming gay youth in 2014, following GLAAD's yearlong campaign to secure full equality in Scouting. Many realize, however, that until equality pervades all levels of the BSA, there is still more work to be done.
Lockheed Martin joins companies like UPS, Merck & Co., Caterpillar Inc., and local chapters of the United Way in choosing to invest in inclusion by withholding donations until BSA fully welcomes the LGBT community.